JESSICA ENNIS : £3 MILLION A YEAR ?

Listening to some marketing man on the radio this morning set me thinking about the value we place on different talents.

This marketing expert said, in answer to the usual third rate interviewing conducted on the 'Today' programme, that the likes of Jessica Ennis will now be able to earn as much as £3,000,000 a year for the next few years on the back of her Olympic success. Others such as Mo Farah, Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins will also profit greatly from their admittedly major achievements. What was not mentioned is that most of our high profile successes were delivered by people who have received substantial financial support from the state, sometimes over a period of many years.

If a teenager demonstrates great ability in science or engineering and gains a place at university, they have to borrow money from the state to support them through their period of study and development; once graduated, they are required to repay the money that was borrowed, with interest, from their subsequent earnings. However, for those who show ability in sport, it appears that no such arrangements are in place; in fact, they are simply given large amounts of money, either directly or through the payment of their coaches and other aides. When members of this latter group achieve success and become high earners, they keep their money; there is no requirement to pay anything back to the state.

Why is this ? Top-earning sports' stars can earn many times more than even the best paid scientists and engineers although their true contribution to the country is far less. Sports' stars do not contribute to the long term future of the country in any way, while scientists and engineers, even those who choose to teach rather than to 'do it' themselves, are the bedrock for future growth and development.

This blatant favouring of transitory success over long term gain is a stark indicator of the disease that infects this country today. Politicians and the media are interested only in the 'quick fix', the sound bite', and whatever will make news today; tomorrow can 'go hang'. Our priorities are wrong.

As our government spirals increasingly out of control and our economic woes worsen still further, we can no doubt expect a raft of honours for our successful Olympians. A knighthood, perhaps, for Mo Farah, damehood for Jessica Ennis and honours from MBEs to peerages for others; the lunacy of such awards is almost palpable. For 5 minutes, the nation will be reminded of the great achievements of our state funded competitors, and then all will melt away. The horrendous reality of the world we are really in will return.